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2.13.2013

AN OLD-FASHIONED LOVE STORY

I think we've often said we "like old things" ... in our foyer hangs a framed memory which is somewhat unusual and distinctive. Though the frame is fairly new, the memories inside are old, dating to the early 1900's.

This is a collection of 47 leather postcards ~ the earliest legible date is 1905.

In those early years of the 20th century a gentleman courted (VBP) my grandmother who lived in LaFargeville, New York. The only postmark that is partly distinguishable suggests he may have lived in the village of Carthage ~ both towns upstate near the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River. He faithfully sent these cards to her, always a brief note on the back, sometimes a touch-of-wit written on the front.

Now, Grandma Myra did not go down the aisle with this man ~ choosing instead my Grandfather. Yet, she must have been quite smitten (VBP) with him ~ saving all his postcards and lovingly stitching them together ... and here they are, over 100 years later, memories of an old-fashioned love story.

The collection is framed in an equally distinctive manner. When I decided to frame the collection several years ago, I wanted to have both the front and the back in preservation glass. The piece can only be displayed one way, however, this framing allows the backs of all the cards, along with notes, postmarks, and addresses to be viewed. Many postage stamps remain, though some apparently fell off over the years. Below, close-ups of two of the cards and their flip side ... long before the days of zip codes, nine digit zips, or even street addresses! The mailing side shows how Grandma stitched the cards together. Oh, and the stamps ~ just one penny, if you please!

I collect old Florida postcards and have many from the 1950's...They tell so many interesting stories...The most unusual ones I have are three balsa wood postcards that my Dad sent while he was in basic training for the army in WWII...I have never seen leather ones and think your collection is wonderful!

Oh Miss Ann! What a fantastic memory! A love story for all time. Thank you for sharing this treasure with us and especially for doing so as your first hook up with our VBP blog hop! You are truly one of a kind Miss Ann. Paw hugs and nurse bumps to Maggy and Zooey, Savvy